Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title X Chapter 66A
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 66A, § 1 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 1. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:—

''Agency'', any agency of the executive branch of the government, including but not limited to any constitutional or other office, executive office, department, division, bureau, board, commission or committee thereof; or any authority created by the general court to serve a public purpose, having either statewide or local jurisdiction.

''Automated personal data system'', a personal data system in which personal data is stored, in whole or in part, in a computer or in electronically controlled or accessible files.

''Computer accessible'', recorded on magnetic tape, magnetic film, magnetic disc, magnetic drum, punched card, or optically scannable paper or film.

''Criminal justice agency'', an agency at any level of government which performs as its principal function activity relating to (a) the apprehension, prosecution, defense, adjudication, incarceration, or rehabilitation of criminal offenders; or (b) the collection, storage, dissemination, or usage of criminal offender record information.

''Data subject'', an individual to whom personal data refers. This term shall not include corporations, corporate trusts, partnerships, limited partnerships, trusts or other similar entities.

''Holder'', an agency which collects, uses, maintains or disseminates personal data or any person or entity which contracts or has an arrangement with an agency whereby it holds personal data as part or as a result of performing a governmental or public function or purpose. A holder which is not an agency is a holder, and subject to the provisions of this chapter, only with respect to personal data so held under contract or arrangement with an agency.

''Manual personal data system'', a personal data system which is not an automated or other electronically accessible or controlled personal data system.

''Personal data'', any information concerning an individual which, because of name, identifying number, mark or description can be readily associated with a particular individual; provided, however, that such information is not contained in a public record, as defined in clause Twenty-sixth of section seven of chapter four and shall not include intelligence information, evaluative information or criminal offender record information as defined in section one hundred and sixty-seven of chapter six.

''Personal data system'', a system of records containing personal data, which system is organized such that the data are retrievable by use of the identity of the data subject.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 15 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1978–2025 · leading case: Spring v. Geriatric Auth. of Holyoke, 475 N.E.2d 727 (Mass. 1985).
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Spring v. Geriatric Auth. of Holyoke, 475 N.E.2d 727 (Mass. 1985). · cites it 10× “G.L.c. 66A, § 1, as appearing in St. 1977, c.”
Torres v. Attorney Gen., 460 N.E.2d 1032 (Mass. 1984). · cites it 14× “The trial judge concluded that the information in the DSS affidavit was "personal data," as defined in the FIPA (G.L.c. 66A, § 1). He further concluded that the disclosure of the information in the DSS affidavit was a violation of the FIPA because that disclosure was not…”
Allen v. Holyoke Hosp., 496 N.E.2d 1368 (Mass. 1986). · cites it 4× “or is approved by the data subject whose personal data are sought." G.L.c. 66A, § 2 ( c ).”
New Bedford Stand.-Times Publ'g Co. v. Clerk of the Third Dist. Court, 387 N.E.2d 110 (Mass. 1979). · cites it 2× “" G.L.c. 66A, § 1. On November 1, 1973, the Commissioner of Probation advised the board of a vote of the Committee on Probation on October 30, 1973.”
Rosie D. v. Romney, 256 F. Supp. 2d 115 (D. Mass. 2003). · cites it 2× “With respect to the main underlying issue, Defendants’ argument against the disclosure of personal data is grounded in the Massachusetts Fair Information Practices Act (“FIPA”), Mass. Gen. L. ch. 66A, § 1 et seq. Section 2(k) of FIPA specifically provides that state agencies…”
Amato v. Dist. Attorney for Cape & Islands Dist., 952 N.E.2d 400 (Mass. App. Ct. 2011). · cites it 2× “Because Amato’s factual allegations plausibly suggest that the district attorney and the crime lab have violated G. L. c. 66A, § 2(1), 9 he may pursue the equitable remedies authorized by G.”
Brantley v. Hampden Div. of the Prob. & Fam. Court Dep't, 929 N.E.2d 272 (Mass. 2010). “” G. L. c. 66A, § 1 (defining “[ajgency” to mean, in relevant part, “any agency of the executive branch .”
Tivnan v. Registrar of Motor Vehs., 734 N.E.2d 1182 (Mass. App. Ct. 2000). · cites it 2× ““One major objective of the FIPA was to limit access to personal data maintained by a State agency (the holding agency or ‘holder,’ as defined in G. L. c. 66A, § 1). Generally, no other agency and no individual not employed by the holding agency is allowed access to personal…”
Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp. v. Chief of Police of Worcester, 787 N.E.2d 602 (Mass. App. Ct. 2003). “See G. L. c. 66A, §§ 1, 2(k); Torres v. Attorney Gen.”
Doe v. Registrar of Motor Vehs., 528 N.E.2d 880 (Mass. App. Ct. 1988). ““The phrase ‘clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy’ enunciates a policy that will involve a balancing of interests between the protection of an individual’s private affairs from unnecessary public scrutiny, and the preservation of the public’s right to government…”
N.o., M.t., J.o., E.i., D.v., J.d., E.H. v. Callahan, 110 F.R.D. 637 (D. Mass. 1986). “G.L. c. 66A, § 1, known as the Fair Information Practices Act, 5 which provides limited access to “personal data,” defined as “any information concerning an individual which, because of name, identifying number, mark or description can be readily associated with a particular…”
Swartz v. Dep't of Banking & Ins., 382 N.E.2d 1050 (Mass. 1978). “” G. L. c. 66A, § 1, as amended through St.”
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